SPARTAN RACE DAY!!!

YEP, It’s finally here… RACE DAY BABY!!!! For those of you who aren’t familiar with the SPARTAN SPRINT, It is a 5k with 15+ military style obstacles, In the gnarliest of conditions. Yeah, in the mud. Don’t ask why I put myself through these things!

I spent the night at Mom and Dads house last night. Mom was taking me to the race super early so we made sure to pass out early sat. night.

My alarm went off at 5:00 a.m. Mom was already up. I think she was nervous for me:) I smelled coffee as I walked down the stairs. ahhhh…OK now I feel better. Coffee always seems to make the morning a blessing. I threw on my clothes and made sure my bag , full of back-up clothes was ready by the door.

Thank god there were signs off the canyon because for some reason, we had gotten directions that would’ve taken us about 4 miles further out. I had to be there about an hour and 1/2 early to be able to register, get my bib, and check my bag.

It was a fresh morning in Malibu. Lucky for me, there was no rain! I knew I would be in mud, but it’s different when the rain is coming down on you. It would’ve been way harder for sure.

My heat started at 8:00 a.m. There were 276 people in the elite heat. (I had no idea I had signed up for “elite” WTF)

Anyway, here I come.

To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect as far as what I should wear or If I would be freezing or too hot. I was ready to strip down, and race in a sportsbra and shorts, thinking that I wouldn’t want anything weighing me down. When I arrived I saw everyone with gloves and long sleeved rashgaurds on. Pretty covered up. I thanked the heavens above that I packed long socks, a pair of gym gloves (a last minute grab) and a long sleeved shirt. pheeewwwww. Once I registered and got my bib I went off to the side to do my outfit alterations. lol

I have no idea how long it took them to set this course up, but this place was incredible!

They put your bib number all over the place, your forehead, a stamp on your cheek (that wouldn’t come off to save my life) on the arm..I’m guessing this was for the photographers, so it would be easier to find yourself when looking up your photo.

they wrote the number on your calves, and since I was covered up…Screw it, write it on my socks:)

ummmmm..notice the mud. yeah.

They had set up a traverse wall for people to warm up and practice. I saw a few people try it, but it looked really hard. Everyone kept falling off, so I think people, including myself, decided to save our strength for the race. All I have to say is, THANK GOD I brought workout gloves.

I’m glad we got there early because I was able to walk around, get my head on straight, and stretch a bit. The thing about this race is that you have absolutely no idea what the course is like until you get there, unless you have done this race before. But even then, It’s ever changing. They give you a map of the course once you register and that’s all you get. Yes, of course you train hard at the gym with the WOD that are sent to you via email, but, nothing can prepare you for the weather conditions, mud like quicksand, and running through fire… yeah, I know, and that’s just 1/10th of it. We will see…..

At 5 to 8:00 am, we began to gather at the start line. Everyone jumping up and down to warm up. I got a quick shot with my SPARTAN man. Couldn’t miss that photo-op.

As the loudspeaker comes on, A man with a “300″ voice came on and pumped us up! We were all screaming “I AM SPARTAN”

“I AM SPARTAN”.

By the third time…We fired off!!! Smoked filled the air to throw us off of where we were going.

1st obstacle: Running into a freezing lake, and swimming across, yes fully clothed, only to end up trying to hoist yourself up the other side witch was a muddy slippery mountain. You could here everyone going “f*@k its COLD!!” I just made sure to not tense up so much and just keep a steady breath. Hard when your trembling.

Look at us, a bunch of beasts! You have no idea how many people, including my freakin Dad, were like”why the HELL would you want to do that?”

Well, to me this is what it’s about. Challenging you mind, your body, and surprising yourself at accomplishments that you never thought were possible. A lot of people go through life, day by day, never feeling challenged, completely content in their everyday ritual, not me. I live for this shit. LOL It wasn’t always like that. I used to be a big ol’ wuss. Yep.

So as we trecked through rough terrain and mud that sucked the shoes off our feet, I was happy to hear everyone pushing each other with words of encouragement. Didn’t matter if you weren’t on their team. Lots of “c’mon, YOU GOT THIS” “pick it up SPARTAN” ” “Get through it”

It was really inspiring.

The course was insane. Mom was in the spectator area, which was only at a few of the obstacles, taking the pics of what she could. If at anytime, you could not complete an obstacle, you had to count out (OUT LOUD) 30 chest to the ground burpees. I ended up having to do 60 of them. I couldn’t complete two of the obstacles. So pissed, but there was no way. Midway, we stopped for electrolytes that were being handed out. As soon as I got this in my body, I was unstoppable! I turned into an animal, practically sprinting through quicksand! We had to bear crawl up the mountain with rocks and mud under our hands, Big (what seemed to be rubber bands) were giving to us to put around both ankles and HOP up to the next stop, uphill in the mud, (I thought that one in particular would never end) We hoisted ourselves over and under built high walls carrying sandbags ,

climbed up ropes, and held on to dear life through the gnarly monkey bars.

Through tiny trails carved out by tree branches, I finally started to hear people cheering. On to the next obstacle, pulling these weights all the way to the top,(without dropping) and slowly letting them come to the ground without slamming. I mean… C’mon.

Through the puddle up a slippery wooden wall.

Oh and here comes my favorite part.

Dragging your sore, tired body underneath barbed wire for what seemed to be a 1/4 mile. This is where most people started slowing down the most. I was so glad to be in pants and long socks! The poor people with shorts on, ended up with bloody knees. For me the best technique to get through this part was to roll sideways uphill. Not an easy task though.

PERSEVERE!

YEP, that’s fire you have to get across. I was coming down that hill so damn fast, I leaped over that shit like superwoman!

Low and behold, I was about to get pounded.

Knocked down at the last minute!

Got up and ran to get my banana at the finish line!

My time was 1 hour and 7 minutes. Oh I have to tell you this crazy shit. The fastest women did it in 38 minutes!!! She had to have been a freakin GLADIATOR.

Anyway, I was actually quite happy with my time.

I came 74th out of 276 overall

14th out of 75 women

5th in ages 25-29

NOT BAD FOLKS!

I have to admit, I was skeptical at first, and had no idea what to expect. I know that if I hadn’t trained hard like I have been the last 4 1/2 weeks I may not have been able to finish. The W.O.D. that were sent to my email every morning, were not only testing of my strength, but also my commitment to putting in the work. Thank you Spartan Race for a spectacular day in the mud!

I will definitely be signing up for other races in the future. WHO’S WITH ME?!!!!!

ABOUT ME

Hello
I'm Paula Bedo
your average girl trying to balance being a stylist for Román salon, a fitness & outdoors enthusiast, a lifestyle blogger and a wanna-be chef .My passion for life is ENORMOUS, so I strive everyday to make decisions that will put a smile on my face and inspire others to do the same! Welcome to crazy life. Thanx for stopping by.